Mo Farah raises his hand to the British crowd after winning his final race on home soil

Birmingham has a track record of delivering international sporting events including the ICC Champions Trophy and The Ashes at Edgbaston; Rugby World Cup at Villa Park; Diamond League athletics at Alexander Stadium; Aegon Classic tennis at Edgbaston Priory; Yonex All England Open Badminton and the UCI BMX Championships.

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2. NO BETTER WELCOME

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Birmingham is one of the UK’s most popular and rapidly growing tourist destinations. Visitor numbers have risen by almost 20 per cent over the last five years and nine out of ten visitors rate their enjoyment of their trip as ‘high’ or ‘very high’. Eight-time Olympic Champion Usain Bolt says: “The Birmingham people, when we were at camp, were extremely great to us. There was a lot of love, and thank you guys. You guys helped us come out here to do our best.”

3. TIME TO SHINE (AGAIN)

Birmingham is proud of its history as the cradle of the Industrial Revolution, and as the City of a Thousand Trades. Today the city and its surrounds are home to iconic UK businesses such as Jaguar Land Rover, JCB and Rolls-Royce. With the city undergoing considerable regeneration and gaining expertise on the major sporting and cultural events stage, now is Birmingham’s time to shine once again and showcase the city, the region and the UK to the world.

Nearly 40 per cent of Birmingham’s population is under 25 years of age, and Birmingham has the highest proportion of under 20 year-olds of any major city in the UK. This youthful energy will contribute to a fantastic volunteering experience.

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Sports stars from across nineteen sports, including all the Commonwealth Games sports announced as part of Birmingham’s bid, have thrown their weight behind the city’s 2022 Commonwealth Games bid, including Mo Farah, James Rodwell and Lily Owsley.

6. IT’S FOR EVERYONE

(Image: Craig Holmes/Images of Birmingham.co.uk)

With events planned to take place not just in Brum but also in Coventry, Sandwell and Solihull, the bid has the full support of the wider Midlands region, including Birmingham City Council, business groups, West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and the Midlands Engine, as well as backers from the world of sport.

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Birmingham's Commonwealth Games bid

Fans at the Alexander Stadium backed Birmingham's Commonwealth Games bid.

Hosting the Games would accelerate the implementation of key aspects of the Birmingham Development Plan 2031, including job creation; enhancing prospects through innovative ideas for volunteering; driving long-lasting behaviour change through better sports facilities and activity programmes – and increasing housing.

8. LET’S PARTY

Fireworks erupt during the Closing Ceremony for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games at Hampden Park

Festival Squares will provide the beating heart of Birmingham 2022 in Victoria Square, Centenary Square, Chamberlain Square and Brindleyplace. These buzzing locations, surrounded by major cultural institutions such as the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, Town Hall, Symphony Hall, Library of Birmingham and the world-famous REP Theatre, will all be engaged during the Games.

9. LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE

Birmingham 2022’s legacy will be better health and wellbeing, better prospects and better living. It is an approach that harnesses the power of sport for the good of society. The legacy from the Games will speak to the future of Birmingham and the wider regions, specifically to those who are young, from diverse communities and currently disadvantaged.

10. TOP OF THE CLASS

University of Birmingham's international standard squash courts (Image: Univesitry of Birmingham)

The University of Birmingham became the first UK university to offer a sports-based degree in 1946. Currently ranked No 5 globally for sports science research, the University attracts amazing athletes, coaches and researchers who will contribute to, and be inspired by, Birmingham 2022.

11. TALE OF THREE CITIES

With Coventry bidding to become UK City of Culture in 2021 and Nottingham bidding to become European City of Culture 2023, Birmingham 2022 could help the Midlands to shine and achieve the cultural recognition it deserves.

12. ALL IN IT TOGETHER

The bid has cross-party support from all three Birmingham City Council party leaders as well as the seven local authorities within the West Midlands Combined Authority – five of them Labour, and two under Conservative control.

13. IT’S THE BUSINESS!

The best of British business, from those founded and headquartered in Birmingham to global institutions in the city such as HSBC and Mondelez – owner of much-loved Birmingham brand, Cadbury – recognise the benefits and opportunities a Birmingham 2022 Games will deliver, especially through post-Brexit business opportunities delivered via Business Expo 2022.

Birmingham is home to more than 200 restaurants offering cuisine from 27 different countries, including five Michelin-starred restaurants – more than any city outside the capital.

16. LET US ENTERTAIN YOU

CBSO with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla (Credit: Benjamin Ealovega)

Institutions including Culture Central, Birmingham Museums, Birmingham Hippodrome, Sampad South Asian Arts Organisation and DanceXchange deliver acclaimed performances and co-ordinate over 50 festivals annually, including the major Birmingham Weekender and International Dance Festivals and would be instrumental in delivering the cultural programme for Birmingham 2022.

17.WE’RE SO HANDY

Situated in the geographic heart of the UK, 28 million people are within two hours’ drive of Birmingham and 90 per cent of the UK is within four hours’ travel. International, national and local transport links provide access to 400 million people across Europe.

18. THE NEC

Boxing at NEC Hall 1 (Image: #BrumBid2022)

Central to Birmingham’s bid is the internationally recognised NEC, situated on a site which also includes the Genting Arena with a combined total of 200,000 sq m, it is the UK’s – and one of Europe’s – largest indoor facilities. During Games time it will host boxing, judo, table tennis and wrestling alongside the indoors fanzone.

19. STAY WITH US

From elegant four-star rooms through to comfortable budget options and fully-equipped serviced apartments, Birmingham and the region have something to suit every budget

20. THAT’S SHOWBIZ!

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Multi-BAFTA Award winning actress, Dame Julie Walters and actor David Harewood joined with stars of the music world Simon Webbe, Toyah Willcox and Bradley Simpson, from the Vamps, to champion Birmingham’s bid.

21. HOME OF ATHLETICS

World Championships silver medalist Jarrion Lawson won the long jump ahead

An enhanced and refurbished Alexander Stadium will be pivotal to the Birmingham 2022 Games. Post 2022, the stadium will feature improved competition and training facilities and increased permanent seating capacity to 20,000 with Games time capacity up to 45,000. The regeneration of the stadium will enhance Birmingham’s reputation as City of Running, already hosting the Great Birmingham 10km, Great Birmingham Run (Half) and Birmingham International Marathon.

22. THE COMMONWEALTH IN ONE CITY

Birmingham is the most ethnically and culturally diverse major regional city in the UK, with a population comprising 187 different nationalities and with 314,000 (6%) of residents in the West Midlands born in a Commonwealth country.